South Dakota Baseball UMPIRES AS

South Dakota Baseball UMPIRES ASSOCIATION

Affiliated with the S.D. Amateur Baseball Association

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I.

(Name)

Section 1. The name of this association shall be the South Dakota Baseball Umpires Association.

Section 2. This association shall be affiliated with the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association.

Article II.

(Purpose)

Section 1. a. To formulate, foster and develop an organization of recognized baseball umpires in the State of South Dakota.

Section 2. b. To uphold and promote the standards of good officiating.

c. To encourage and promote and improve the growth of baseball in South Dakota

d. To examine, qualify and maintain candidates for membership in the South Dakota Baseball Umpires Association.

Article III

(Charter Members)

The charter members of this association shall be:

Darrell Anderson, Yankton, South Dakota

Glen Baker, Jr., Scotland, South Dakota

Jack Beaird, Rapid City, South Dakota (Deceased)

Derold W. Bogenrief, Watertown. South Dakota

Gordon Brusie, Watertown, South Dakota

Ernest J. Carlson, Menno, South Dakota

Bob Forsythe, Northville, South Dakota

Eddie F. Fredette, Mobridge, South Dakota

Melvin Geist, Hillsview, South Dakota

Pat Hartnett, Scotland, South Dakota

Lee Hopkins, Ipswich, South Dakota

Marvin Humpal, Bonesteel, South Dakota

James Klassen, Redfield, South Dakota

Steve Kostel, Yankton, South Dakota

Ben J. McKeague, Rapid City, South Dakota

Lawrence Mohr, Hosmer, South Dakota

Ronnie Peterson, Renner, South Dakota

Harry Pressler, Selby, South Dakota

Dick Rudell, Spearfish, South Dakota

Richard Schnaible, Selby, South Dakota

Harold V. Settje, Scotland, South Dakota

Marvin Settje, Corona, South Dakota

Emil Schnitzgrunt, Redfield, South Dakota

Chester Sorenson, Wakonda, South Dakota

Joe Stahl, Huron, South Dakota

Howard Taplett, Tyndall, South Dakota

Francis Tennyson, Rapid City, South Dakota

Etan Tomscha, Madison, South Dakota

C.L. Trainor, Madison, South Dakota

Arthur Tullis, Madison, South Dakota

Roy N. Wahl, Columbia, South Dakota

Joe W. Walter, Freeman, South Dakota

Dale Weick, Plankinton, South Dakota

George White, Freeman, South Dakota

Joe Wolf, Rapid City, South Dakota

Frank Wurnig, Winner, South Dakota

Section 1. Membership in this association shall consist of charter members named in Article III and additional members who qualify for membership. Method of qualification hereinafter prescribed.

Section 2. A member in the association is in good standings when he is an active umpire, pays his dues on or before June 1^st of each year, and makes every effort to attend the annual meetings of the association.

Section 3. Membership in the association is in open to residents of South Dakota and to residents of bordering states who wish to umpire in South Dakota.

Section 4. Membership in this association shall be obtained by the following procedure:

When an annual fee has been received by the secretary of the association, the following procedure shall be followed:

a. The district umpire and/or any officer of the South Dakota Baseball Umpires Association shall administer a written test on the rules of baseball, the duties of an umpire and the responsibilities of an umpire. If an umpire misses a year's dues the umpire must retake the umpires exam.

The written test shall be a standardized test prepared by the officers of this association.

1. The umpire will have a one year grace period from the time of his acceptance to purchase the following proper attire as prescribed by this association: 1) Shirt with patch; 2) pants; 3)plate and base cap; 4) Black, navy blue, or blue socks; and 5) black base shoes. Dress code.

2. If after the expiration of the grace period, the umpire has not purchased and/or is not wearing the proper attire as in Section 4.b.1, he shall not be considered an active member of this association.

3. Once the suspended member for the reasons of Section 4.b.1 complies with the approval of their district umpire and/or any officer of this association, umpires shall be reinstated with full membership.

c. When an umpire has met requirements for membership. They shall be qualified as a member of the association by paying annual dues. The umpire shall remain fully qualified as a member of the association by paying their annual dues by June 1^st, late fees will be added to members that pay after the deadline. When dues are paid, the member is entitled to all rights, privileges, responsibilities and any other prerogatives of the association.

d. An umpire will forfeit membership in this association by non-payment of dues. In case of unforeseen unusual or mitigating circumstances the umpire may appeal to the officers of this association for reinstatement.

Annual membership dues shall be the sum set by this association payable annually on or before June 1^st of each year.

Section 1. a. The annual meeting of this association shall be held during the winter months, namely, January, February, or March, of each year at a time and place to be designated by the president.

b. The time and place of the annual meeting shall coincide, if possible, with the winter meeting of the Commissioners of the South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association.

Section 2. a. The officers of this association shall hold at least one meeting each year.

b. The president of this association shall have authority to call a meeting of the officer of this association whenever he deems necessary.

Section 1. The government of this association shall be in the duly authorized hands of its elected officers, and all members in good standing.

Section 2. The officers of this association shall be a president, vice president, secretary, and treasure who shall be members in good standing of the association. The president and treasurer will be elected to a two year term starting at the 2008 winter meeting and must be voted on by all members present. Election will be held on even numbered years.

The vice president and secretary will be elected on odd number years starting in 2009 and must be voted on by all present members during winter meeting for a two year term.

Section 3. Any of the duly elected officers may also represent their respective districts as the district umpire.

Section 4. No officer or district umpire of this association shall receive any compensation for his services except:

a. The membership may authorize whatever expenses it may deem advisable in carrying out the business of this association.

b. The membership may authorize the officers of this association to approve necessary expenses for the association between annual meetings.

Section 5. The business of this association shall be conducted by a majority vote of those duly qualified members present at a regular meeting unless otherwise provided for in this Constitution and By-laws.

Section 1. The president of this association shall act as chairman of all association annual meetings and duly authorized meetings of the district umpires of the district umpires. The president shall set the time and date of the annual meeting within the limits prescribed elsewhere in the Constitution. The president shall appoint such committees, both standing and temporary, as deemed necessary to properly conduct the affairs of this association.

Section 2. The vice president shall attend all association meetings and shall assume all duties of the president whenever the president is absent or unable to carry out presidential duties.

Section 3. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the association and meetings of the district umpires. The secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings in good order and form.

Section 4. The treasurer shall attend all meetings of the association and meetings of the district umpires. The treasure shall keep the financial records of the association and prepare an annual financial report for the annual meeting of the association.

The district umpires shall have the only authority to act for the association in their respective district on all affairs pertaining to decisions arising in their district as it relates to amateur baseball. The district umpire shall be expected to act prudently and wisely in conducting the affairs of the association, unless a conflict of interest that involves a district umpire. The district umpire shall have the power to make all necessary decisions in the best interest of the association so long as they are not in conflict with this Constitution and By-laws or previous decisions made by the membership at large. The District umpire shall make certain the proper steps are taken to ensure the expeditious resolution of all problems. The arbitration board is the last resort for solving a dispute.

Each member has rights, duties and responsibilities; having voluntarily joined this association is obligated to conduct themselves in a manner which will bring credit upon themselves and the association.

Section 3. Members shall dress like an umpire as prescribed in Section 4b.1. Umpire shall wear their South Dakota Amateur Baseball patch on the left shoulder 3 inches below the shoulder stitch line.

Section 4. Members shall receive one rule book free and shall review the rules of baseball periodically in order to know the rules more thoroughly.

Section 5. Members shall not criticize their fellow umpire in public. What needs to be said should be said in private, or in closed umpires’ sessions.

Section 6. Members shall wear the official arm patch furnished by the association (one free patch) at all games umpired. Extra patches are obtainable at a nominal fee.

Section 7. Members shall conduct themselves in a manner which all reflects credit on the South Dakota Baseball Umpires Association and baseball in general. (Members must be like Caesar’s wife—“They shall not only abstain from evil, but for all appearances of evil”).

The meetings of this association shall be conducted in accordance with procedures as outlined in Roberts Rule of Order.